The van der Luydens are one of three New York families with aristocratic bloodlines. They listen to Mrs. Archer’s account of the slight
conferred upon the Countess by New York society, and decide that a
show of family loyalty would rectify the situation. Because Louisa’s
relative, the Duke of St. Austrey, is arriving from Russia, the van der Luydens will include the Countess in their dinner and reception for him.

At the party, the van der Luydens spare no pains in providing the
best china, silver, and glassware. Newland notices that the Countess is
pale but very confident with almost a regal bearing. She does not seem
decadent, as her past would suggest. However, when Newland and the
Countess speak after dinner he is shocked by her sadness and candor.
She wants to be all things American and when she touches his knee with
her fan he feels unexpected electricity. Breaking an unspoken social rule,
the Countess says she will see Newland at five o’clock the next day.
Surprised, he agrees. Later he watches couples—including the Lefferts,
who initially turned down the Archers’ invitation—standing in line to
be introduced to the Countess now that the van der Luydens have
included her in their social circle.

Commentary

Wharton uses word painting to describe the intolerant, rigid older
generation. The van der Luydens symbolize the frosty chill of old New
York. Newland believes Louisa has been “gruesomely preserved in the
airless atmosphere” like “bodies caught in glaciers keep for years a rosy
life-in-death.” Louisa defers to her husband almost sacredly and Newland has a disturbing vision of his own marriage in future years. The
van der Luydens hold family loyalty as sacrosanct. Mrs. Mingott
remarks, however, that New York society needs new blood. The van
der Luydens are the proof.

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